THE Past Trainees’ Association (PTA) of the Hamilton Base Hospital, which has been in existence since 1942, were officially farewelled on Friday, November 12, after the decision to dissolve the association was made at the annual meeting on July 9, due to declining member numbers.

The association had up to 190 members at one time, however, numbers have continued to drop since the Hamilton nurse training program concluded in 1989.

The association aimed to promote the interests of the trained nurses and the Hamilton Base Hospital, support the local community, and provide a network for members to stay in touch with one another.

The PTA president, Sue Habel said it was sad to see the association close after so many years.

“It is with sadness that we officially close our Past Trainees’ Association as to me it’s something that’s always been there,” she said.

“Overall, I look back on those years with a great degree of fondness.

“We worked hard and we were serious in our jobs but we did have a lot of fun in our training and formed lifelong friendships throughout it all.”

During its 80 years, the association held regular dinner parties and contributed to the community through fundraising stalls and events, with proceeds going to local charities or towards new supplies for the hospital.

The history of the nurse training at Hamilton Base Hospital was detailed in the book, ‘The Pursuit of Excellence’, which was compiled by Lady Melva Gibbins and a committee of past trainees, nurses and hospital employees in 1992.

WDHS chief executive, Rohan Fitzgerald said the PTA had “influenced so many others” within the community.

“You’ve led the way for many years, providing a really high standard of care,” he said.

“What you’ve done over the 80 years is you’ve given an organisation an extremely positive reputation and that meant we were able to deliver services to a very wide section of the community and will continue to do so into the future as well.”

The PTA donated their remaining funds to the MRI appeal and presented Mr Fitzgerald with a cheque for approximately $1200.

Mr Fitzgerald said he “very much appreciated” the generous contribution to the MRI appeal, which had received overwhelming support from the community so far.

“It’s quite remarkable the level of support that WDHS has received for the MRI project, we’ve never actually seen so many community members come together,” he said.

“We started fundraising for the MRI machine about two months ago where we put the call out formerly to the community, and within only a few months we’ve raised $715,000.

“It shows that it goes back to the essence of the Past Trainees’ Association that this place is built on community, and individuals that collectively make a significant difference.

“The contribution you’re making today will go some of the way to building on our fundraising goal.”